CP Rizwan, a hero from Tellicherry in Kerala, named UAE captain for Asia Cup qualifiers

By K.R. Nayar

CP Rizwan will lead the UAE in the Asia Cup Qualifier 2022 to be held in Oman.  This allrounder who rose to prominence through his consistent performance in domestic cricket earned the honour of leading the national team by being a symbol of dedication and devotion to any role offered to him.  Rizwan’s elevation as captain of the UAE team has brought immense joy to numerous players from Kerala in the UAE and cricket lovers in his home town in Kerala. 

CP Rizwan

Hailing from Tellicherry, Rizwan, through consistency in his performances, had risen to represent the Kerala state team. After taking a break to complete his engineering degree, he took up a job in the UAE and also carried along his dream of playing international cricket. He not only got selected to play for the UAE in international cricket but also became the first player from Kerala to hit a century in international cricket.

When Rizwan made his One-Day international debut for the UAE

In the four-match series against Ireland in 2021, he cracked 109 to earn this honour. The whole town of Tellicherry had then rejoiced over his achievement and displayed banners along the streets of this town. They gave him a hero's welcome when he had returned home after scoring the century. People from Tellicherry are crazy about cricket and it is said that cricket started in India from there during the British rule. Colonel Arthur Wellesley, who was commanding the East India Company army in Kerala in the 1790’s, had introduced the game to the locals there. 

Banners congratulating Rizwan in Tellicherry 

If the UAE qualifies for the Asia Cup, and Rizwan stands alongside captains of Asian giants like India and Pakistan, then it will be a special moment not only for Kerala but for domestic cricketers in the UAE too. CTK Nasir, who had launched the Nucaf Tellicherry team in the UAE and given Rizwan the opportunity to play domestic cricket here, expressed his delight on hearing the news. “I am so happy to hear that Rizwan has earned the honour of leading a national team in international cricket. He is technically a very sound player and has the experience to lead the team. He has always been a captain material. We Tellicherians are so happy over this news. Rizwan later joined Interface team and went on to play for almost all leading clubs in the UAE, which included the Yogi Group team and Bukhatir XI," said Nasir.  

Rizwan with gifts from his fans at his home in Tellicherry 

Rizwan had once expressed his gratitude to Waleed and Khalaf Bukhatir and cricketer turned coach CTK Mashood for backing his dreams. UAE will be competing against Hong Kong, Kuwait, and Singapore in their bid to secure the only place available to compete in the Asia Cup 2022 to be held from August 27 to September 11. The team that secures this spot will be placed in Group A along with Asian giants India and Pakistan. The Asia Cup qualifier will be held from August 20 to 24 in Oman.


Robin Singh, Emirates Cricket’s Director of Cricket and Head Coach said; “It’s important we remain focused on the immediate task; one match, one win at a time. And each win (in the qualifier) is a step closer to the goal of competing in the Asia Cup.” “We have solid experience with the conditions in Oman and our team - players and support - know the areas we need to focus on. Preparations have gone well (and) it will then be up to the team to deliver on the day, and we will not be taking any opposing team lightly – especially in a T20 format.” 

Emirates Cricket’s selection committee also announced that starting from the Asia Cup Qualifier, the role of captaining T20 and ODI (50-over) sides will now be tasked to two players. Ahmed Raza will continue as the UAE’s ODI (50-over format) captain.

My write up in Gulf News on Rizwan knocking the doors of UAE cricket team

The UAE team for the qualifiers include C P Rizwaan (C), Chirag Suri, Muhammad Waseem, Vriitya Aravind, Ahmed Raza, Basil Hameed, Rohan Mustafa, Kashif Daud, Karthik Meiyappan, Zahoor Khan, Zawar Farid, Alishan Sharafu, Sabir Ali, Aryan Lakra, Sultan Ahmad, Junaid Siddique, Fahad Nawaz.

Comments

  1. Mohamed LokhandwalaAugust 18, 2022 at 1:06 PM

    Congratulations to C P Rizwan and also to his State Kerala, Home Club Tellicherry CC and to CTK Nasir and CTK Mashood. Hope he and Team UAE do well against the Asian Giants.
    Mohamed Lokhandwala

    ReplyDelete

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